Miss-Delectable
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- Apr 18, 2004
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Warrnambool Standard
BY her own admission Judy Mugavin is as deaf as a post, but that doesn't mean she can't hear.
Thanks to her beloved poodle Sammy, Ms Mugavin has maintained her everyday independence.
Whether it's a knock on the front door, the oven timer sounding, a smoke detector or home intruder, Sammy is all ears and alerts Ms Mugavin by touch.
Believe it or not, Sammy the apricot toy poodle is Warrnambool's only resident hearing dog.
Unfortunately, while the pair should enjoy the same legal access rights as the vision-impaired and their guide dogs, they don't.
Sammy's small stature and Ms Mugavin's good speech have caused much confusion and confrontations.
They've been asked to leave a number of Warrnambool shops and endured countless disapproving looks.
As recently as last week Ms Mugavin felt so intimidated at a supermarket she left in tears.
``I've fought all my life to be normal and I speak well so people don't think I qualify for a hearing dog,'' she said.
``There's never been a week that went past that someone didn't say I shouldn't have my dog in a store.
``I'm extremely deaf and Sammy helps me with everything. I need him.''
Ms Mugavin was matched with Sammy by the Lions Hearing Dog School in Adelaide and underwent a test to qualify for his help.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act Ms Mugavin and Sammy are allowed in all public access places _ including supermarkets, retail outlets, on beaches and aboard public transport.
The act even overrides the Food Act, which would otherwise prohibit Sammy from entering food premises.
In an effort to make her life easier and make the Warrnambool community more aware of Sammy's access rights, the city council, Ms Mugavin's Victorian Deaf Society advocate and selected city traders will get together next month for a meeting.
The city council's executive manager of health and amenity services Murray Murfett said Ms Mugavin and Sammy presented a ``bit of a dilemma'' for some business operators.
He said provided Sammy was properly identified with his `hearing dog' coat on, Warrnambool had to get used to him being in places most dogs were not allowed.
``The meeting we're organising is to discuss with Judy what the council can do to advise proprietors of her rights in taking the dog into their stores,'' he said.
BY her own admission Judy Mugavin is as deaf as a post, but that doesn't mean she can't hear.
Thanks to her beloved poodle Sammy, Ms Mugavin has maintained her everyday independence.
Whether it's a knock on the front door, the oven timer sounding, a smoke detector or home intruder, Sammy is all ears and alerts Ms Mugavin by touch.
Believe it or not, Sammy the apricot toy poodle is Warrnambool's only resident hearing dog.
Unfortunately, while the pair should enjoy the same legal access rights as the vision-impaired and their guide dogs, they don't.
Sammy's small stature and Ms Mugavin's good speech have caused much confusion and confrontations.
They've been asked to leave a number of Warrnambool shops and endured countless disapproving looks.
As recently as last week Ms Mugavin felt so intimidated at a supermarket she left in tears.
``I've fought all my life to be normal and I speak well so people don't think I qualify for a hearing dog,'' she said.
``There's never been a week that went past that someone didn't say I shouldn't have my dog in a store.
``I'm extremely deaf and Sammy helps me with everything. I need him.''
Ms Mugavin was matched with Sammy by the Lions Hearing Dog School in Adelaide and underwent a test to qualify for his help.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act Ms Mugavin and Sammy are allowed in all public access places _ including supermarkets, retail outlets, on beaches and aboard public transport.
The act even overrides the Food Act, which would otherwise prohibit Sammy from entering food premises.
In an effort to make her life easier and make the Warrnambool community more aware of Sammy's access rights, the city council, Ms Mugavin's Victorian Deaf Society advocate and selected city traders will get together next month for a meeting.
The city council's executive manager of health and amenity services Murray Murfett said Ms Mugavin and Sammy presented a ``bit of a dilemma'' for some business operators.
He said provided Sammy was properly identified with his `hearing dog' coat on, Warrnambool had to get used to him being in places most dogs were not allowed.
``The meeting we're organising is to discuss with Judy what the council can do to advise proprietors of her rights in taking the dog into their stores,'' he said.